Road sweeping machines



Sept. 3, 1963 H. B. KEoGH ETAL ROAD SWEEPING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 MM .Elm

.1 uw@ -M mwlumwv INI@ SePf- 3, v1963 H. B. KEOGH ETAL 3,102,293 ROAD swEEPING MACHINES Filed April 2s, 1962 3. Sheetssheet 2 "au II mung!!! N Sept 3, 1963 H. B. KEOGH ETAL 3,102,293

ROAD SWEEPING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Hedley Benjamin Keogh,

. `obstructing the retractive movement ,sponsive to obstacle contact. i. j I

'llhus in1 operation 4the lbroom is maintainedlineonstant curbsidegfengagement responsive to the inclined `weight broom tendsto Icurb. j y `Itis .a further `object lof the invention to providerneans whereby the `height of the broom relative -to the roadway `can be preset in suchyavmanner that the broom can be j raised by the operator toa position-.for travelling without s operating thejbroom, and can be readily returned to the lpreselected setting by the operator without `an'y tine adjustrnent beingnecessary. e j

. This feature of the invention ensures that the broom l l `will atl-all times operate efiiciently once the heightset-` ting hasnbeen selected, irrespective ofafchangeof op- 3,102,293 j .j j ROAD SWEEPING MACHINES 7 `Hammond St., Thornhury, rand Lancelot Douglas Ernest Victoria, Australia,

58 Washington St., Toorak, Victoria, Aus- Ebeling, tralzr` i AFiled Apr. 2,3, 1962, Ser..No. 189,414 l 11 Claims. (Cl. 15-7-87) v This Vinvention relates to mechanical road sweepers of the type having a side broom or brush for sweeping litter `from gutters or against walls into the path ofthe main transverse broom, and is more particularly directed to.-

brooms when in operation to movewawayvfrom the curb in response to increased side pressure -or collisionwwith an obstacle without `substantially affecting the operation i United ,StatesV Patent O l No of the machine and to automatically return thebroom i lto a working position upon relief.A of side pressure or when the obstacle has been cleared.` j

. j With` the above statedprincipal `object in view, there is provided flaccording to the invention an improved mounting for a side broom of a road sweeping machine comprising a side broom 'pivotally suspended for angular movement from a longiudtinally disposed axis offset relative to thevertical. `axis `or the center of gravity of the broom whereby the latter-is retained by .road contact in a state of inequilibrium ,so as l.totenid togravitationally move inja direction towards the roadside or curb without from the latter. re-

controlledmovement describedbythe broom froin'fits vfrnachine -15 and are pivoted 3 and a bearing housing 5 through a universal joint 8 and the drive is transmitted Referring to FIGURE 3 a pair of-spaced.'parallel arms 0r links 12 (one only is shown) are pivotedat one end 13 to a bracket 14 mounted upon the side of the oppositel ends to the side plates 3.

The 'axis of thebearings v16 is located frtheri. awayfrom the 'machine'than the centre ofgravity of the, as# sembled 4broom frame 2 so that the broom and-broom frame tend to swing ,away-from the machine under-fthe influenceof gravity. i "f A roller 17 is mounted between thel Side plates 3 ad'- jacent the upper ends ofthe latter and engages a cam track 18 fixed to thejmachine l15,y the said tracklimitirig` the movement ofthe broom awayfrom the machine. A rcsilientbuter 19 is fixed between the side plates v3 and limits the inward movement of the' broom towards the machine. i Y Y As the broom trarne 2 is raised or lowered the links 12 move radially about their pivotal axis 13 and the roller 17traverses the cam trackA 18Fto retain `thefbroom frame at the same relative angle to the machine as Vthe broom 1 is raised or lowered. v

A chain 20 is coupled to the broom yframe 2 `-at one end 29 and is passed over a pulley 28t'o `be connected yat `the opposite end 21 (shown in FIGUREJZIJ) to `one endof la pair of parallel arms 22, Ithe other end of the said arms being pivoted `to the frame `of the machine offset pivotalaxis, `the location of which is such that the i move constantly in the `direction of the erators driving the'vehicle.

j With the further stated object in view there isfprovided` heightadjusting meansA forfa side broom mounting ac.-

.cording to the invention comprising a screw.- operating (a sleeve -or stop disposed to retard the downw-ard move= ment `of the broom at a preselected.position.`

" FIGURE 2b is a sideelevation` therv broom height f adjusting mechanism.

The rammaf` a aydrauneeyimdar 25 ispivtaily p connectedto the farm '22" at 26 while tilief` cylinder is pivoted to the frame ofthe machine at 27. j j y A `sleeve 30 lhaving a threaded collar 31 fixed-to one end, is secured byapin 32 to a folding chankpliandle 33V and is rotatable withina bearing 34 mounted ontrun# nions 35 between the arms`22.

A bar` 36 has one endy retainedaby sa pin `37 in a re- `cessed casting 38a lixed to the `traine of themachine, and has upon the opposite end a screwed section 38 engaged within the collar 31. VRotationof the` handle 33 moves kkthe collar 31and sleeveY ltlfupon1 the screw 3S, Whilst the Ibearing 34 is free to axially move within ythe limits of the sleeve 30 responsiveitoactuation of the hydraulic ram 24fassoci'atedVwi-thlthe cylinder 25.

e Referring to FIGURE.3.,a e-hydraulicucylinder 39 is grpivotally mounted between'the sidekplates 3, as at 40, A.and has aram 41l pivotally connected at 42 between a 1 FIGURE 3 is a front elevation ofthe broom Arnountfing assembly-` j i Referring to FIGURE 2.a the broom, 1K, is mounted in a broom frame 2 comprising a pair of siderplates 3 fixedy in spaced parallelism by a right` tangle drive gear assembly 4 interposed between the upper end of the plates j `FIGURE 3."

.pair of brackets 43 bolted to the bearing housing 5, so Y that extension of the ram 41 from the cylinder 39e" will angul-arly move thebroom. l about the trunnion bearings `to `the Vpositionshown. in broken lines. "With the broom inthe vlatter position the telescopic shaft :10 will have extended toy the :position shownin broken lines in The `controls affine nyd'raunc cylinders. 2sand 39 operable by the driver ofthe vehicle.

and the crank handle33 are situatedsoasto .be readily'V i .j In operation the broom frame is lowered by the operator 4.wlienthe control of thecylinder 25 isactuated 4*to retract `the namf24 intoithfe cylinder 25 thereby `fallow- Jingrjthe chain 20 to move over the pulley wheel 28 so that the arms l12, rangularly movejabout the axis -13 until the broom reaches the operating position in Contact or adjacent to the surface `of the road. 1

u .'i,1lvlf2,293"\` Y Patented Sept. 15a-19.63L i pivoted on trunnion bearings 6 .at the lower ends ofthe said plates. v `A main drive shaft 7 enters the side of the gearbox 4 upon bearing 16 atftheir` .'.Toffurther adjust or angle the boom` to an eicient' v 3 operating position the operator may actuate the controls of the hydraulic cylinder 39 so as to extend the ram 41 and angularly move the broom about the axis of the truunion bearings 6, the telescopic shaft extending or retracting in response to the actuation of the said cylinder.

As the broom frame is raised or lowered the roller 17 traverses the cam 18, compensating for the outward and inward movement occasioned by the radial movement of the arms 12 about the pivot axis 13.

The extent to which the broom may be lowered is determined by adjustment of the screw 38 relative to the collar 31 upon the sleeve '30, the angular movement of the arms 22 being restricted when the broom is lowered -by contact of the bearing 34 with the collar 3,1 terminating the sliding movement of the said bearing upon the sleeve 30.

By rotating the cr-ank handle 33 the operator can move the screwed collar 31 upon the screw 38 to a predetermined position so as to arrest the downward movement of the broom when the latter is lowered to an operating position.

Actuation of the hydraulic controls to extend the ram 24 and thereby raise the broom, moves the trunnioned bearing 34 along the sleeve 30 while the collar 31 remains undisturbed in the preset position.

Accordingly the operator can readily raise the broom at any time such as when the broom vis not required to operate, and lower the broom to thepreviously preset position when required, this feature of the invention being, particularly advantageous when the machine is being operated by different drivers as in shift work.

In such cases a relieving driver Ihas no trouble in bringing the broom into the precise operating position used by the preceding driver.

Referring to FIGURE 3 it will be seen that the pivot axis 16 is located towards the outer edge of the side plates 3 so that the centre of gravity of the broom and broom frame assembly is upon a vertical axis located between the pivotal axes 13 and 16.

Accordingly the broom and broom frame assembly at all vtimes tends to move away from the body of the machine towards the gutter or curb being cleaned.

v The extent of outward movement of the broom is limited by the engagement of the roller 17 with the cam surface 18, and the inward movement, by the resilient buffer 19 making contact with the side of the machine 15.

As the broom wears and is lowered towards the ground in order to maintain pressure, the roller 17 takes up a progressively lower position on the contour of the cam surface 18.

As the broom wears it also loses some of its diameter, however, by plotting the shape of the cam surface 18 with the loss of diameter, due to wear, the loss of diameter of overhang can be compensated for.

The roller 17 is flanged on each side so that when engaging the cam 18 the cam is disposed between the flanges. This arrangement resists forces acting head-on to the broom, taking tall -fore and aft slogger out of the assembly.

When operating, the broom at all times pivots about the axis 16 away from the machine towards the gutter or curb under the influence of gravity, however, should any obstacle block the path .of the broom, the resultant pressure upon the broom will cause the latter to move about the axis 16 towards the body of the machine until the obstacle has been passed, whereupon the broom will be gravitationally inuenced to resume its former operating position.

When the broom makes contact with an obstacle, the roller 17 will disengage the cam 18 as the broom swings inwardly about axis 16, any extensive inward movement of the broom frame being limited by the contact of the buffer 19 with the body of the machine.

Accordingly, the broom will ,at all times tend to move away from the machine and thereby make contact with the cur-b or road surface to be cleaned, while at all times being free to temporarily move towards the machine should an obstacle be encountered.

We claim:

l. An improved mounting for a side broom from the body of a road sweeping machine, which machine is movable in a given direction of travel, said mounting comprising: an upright support frame, means supporting the side broom from the upright support frame and means suspending the upright support frame and the broom therewith from said body, the latter means including an arm supporting the support frame for pivotal movement -about a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of travel of the machine, said broom and support frame having a center of gravity which is offset from said longitudinal axis in a direction towards said body, the broom and support frame thereby being urged under the influence of `gravity to pivot about said axis away from said body to a position whereat the broom is adapted for being supported on a surface, said broom tending to move gravitationally in a direction away from the body with the broom in contact with the surface while being freely retractable upon contact with yan obstacle.

2. An improved broom mounting .as claimed in claim l comprising means `for raising and lowering the support frame relative to the body of the machine.

3. An improved broom mounting as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means supporting the side broom from the support frame includes means pivotally connecting the broom to the support frame to permit relative angular movement therebetween to enable the broom to conform to the road surface.

4. An improved broom mounting as claimed in claim 3 comprising hydraulic means operatively associated with the upright support frame and the broom to vary the angular position between the support frame and the broom.

5. An improved broom mounting as claimed in claim 4 comprising telescoping drive means coupled to the broom to accommodate angular movement oft he broom relative to the support frame while maintaining a driving relation with the broom.

6. An improved mounting for a side broom from the body of a road sweeping machine which is .adapted for movement in a given direction of travel, said mounting comprising: an upright support frame including spaced upstanding side plates, means connecting the side broom to the plates, drive means between said plates and coupled to the broom for driving the same, and means connecting the side plates to the body of .the machine for pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of travel of the machine, the last said means including an arm `for each side plate supporting the latter for pivotal movement about a second axis extending parallel to the irst said axis, said support frame and broom having a center of gravity which is offset with respect to said second axis in .a direction towards the machine body whereby the frame and broom are urged under the influence of gravity to move relative to said second axis outwardly to a position whereat the broom is supported on a surface, said arms undergoing angular movement relative to the body as said frame and broom move relative to the first said axis.

7. An improved broom mounting as claimed in claim 6 comprising means connecting the support frame to the machine body to maintain the support frame in a position of constant attitude relative to the body and to permit thereby raising and lowering of the support frame upon angular movement of said arms.

8. An improved broom mounting as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means maintaining the `support `fname in constant attitude comprises a roller supported from the support frame, and a cam track ixed to the body of the machine and accommodating said roller for movement thereon.

9. An improved broom mounting as claimed in claim 8 comprising flanges on said roller and cooperative with said track to restrict longitudinal movement of the supe port frame .and the broom therewith relative to the machine body.

10. An improved broom mounting as lclaimed in claim on sai-d screw, and stop means connected -to the support frame for contacting the sleeve for -being limited thereby to terminate :downward movement of the broom in accordance vwith the position of the sleeve on the screw.

4 References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,452,307 Martin Apr. 17, 1923 2,236,814 Evans Apr. l, 1941 2,558,623 Mott June 26, 1951 2,708,280 Antos May 17, 1955 

1. AN IMPROVED MOUNTING FOR A SIDE BROOM FROM THE BODY OF A ROAD SWEEPING MACHINE, WHICH MACHINE IS MOVABLE IN A GIVEN DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, SAID MOUNTING COMPRISING: AN UPRIGHT SUPPORT FRAME, MEANS SUPPORTING THE SIDE BROOM FROM THE UPRIGHT SUPPORT FRAME AND MEANS SUSPENDING THE UPRIGHT SUPPORT FRAME AND THE BROOM THEREWITH FROM SAID BODY, THE LATTER MEANS INCLUDING AN ARM SUPPORTING THE SUPPORT FRAME FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A LONGITUDINAL AXIS EXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL OF THE MACHINE, SAID BROOM AND SUPPORT FRAME HAVING A CENTER OF GRAVITY WHICH IS OFFSET FROM SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS IN A DIRECTION TOWARDS SAID BODY, THE BROOM AND SUPPORT FRAME THEREBY BEING URGED UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GRAVITY TO PIVOT ABOUT SAID AXIS AWAY FROM SAID BODY TO A POSITION WHEREAT THE BROOM IS ADAPTED FOR BEING SUPPORTED ON A SURFACE, SAID BROOM TENDING TO MOVE GRAVITATIONALLY IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE BODY WITH THE BROOM IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE WHILE BEING FREELY RETRACTABLE UPON CONTACT WITH AN OBSTACLE. 